Basel Ghattas resigns from Knesset after signing a plea deal admitting to smuggling cellphones and SIM cards to Palestinian security prisoners; Jamaa Azbarga (Balad) will replace him on the Joint List.

Amihai Attali|Published: 19.03.17 , 10:36

Jamaa Azbarga, 59, of Lakiya, will be sworn in on Sunday as a member Knesset from the Joint List, replacing MK Basel Ghattas.

Azbarga, a father of nine, is a former employee of the Maccabi Healthcare Services and was responsible to promote ties between the healthcare provider and the Bedouin sector prior to his retirement four years ago.

Jamaa Azbarga

Azbarga, like Ghattas, belongs to the Balad party, which is considered a more extreme faction within the Joint List.

Ghattas signed a plea deal with prosecutors in which he admitted to smuggling cellphones
and SIM cards to Palestinian security prisoners. He will serve two years in prison.